Help me defend us!

[Ashcrexl]

ok, before anything else, you've got a major problem. non-gamers SUCK at video games. have you ever watched someone who's never played a video game try to do something as simple as walking around a town in an average 3rd person 3d game? it's physically painful.

so unfortunately, i would suggest an NES game. a true classic such as SMB or megaman 2, maybe even metroid if you're feeling fancy. then at least the only issue is difficulty, not frustration at being unable to do anything right. theses game do have great artistic merits, so dont worry about that.

for the record, Red Dead is an amazing game even though most missions are in fact shootout after shootout, but its the context they fit in and the open Western world that truly makes it something beautiful. but it will probably take your Dad about 2 weeks to master controlling the camera while walking at the same time and his patience will run out long before then.

 

[oplinger]

...Okay, I'll assume since he hates games, he has not played any. If he has, I will be under the assumption that he hasn't since like...the early 80s. So...here's some games I think would fit the bill.

Fallout 1 or 2: They're mostly mouse oriented, so the controls are not that difficult to master. Context sensitivity is very win. The stats are easy to understand so he won't get lost in heavy RPGing. The stories are very interesting, the background is very rich and engaging, it shows the best and worst of the human condition. He may also like the quirky 50s take on the future if he's anything like my dad and likes the old school movies <_<

Call of Cthulu: Dark Corners of the Earth: Yes, it's lovecraftian horror and what not, but it's really not too -terribly- violent. I think the story is done quite well. It has relevant twists, and wonderful pacing. Though it has a few technical issues. The game I think would be a perfect fit, it's easy to get in to, and it can prove that a game isn't valueless, as it has the same effect on your mind as a movie can. Proof of concept wins the day.

Knights of the Old Republic: It's long, but like the other 2, it has a great story, with one of the best plot twists ever. Also it's Star Wars. He should like Star Wars. And the leveling can shittily be set to auto. >.> but...it's also not too difficult to understand. Who knows.

SYSTEM shock 2: Rather than bioshock, i'll go one better. ...Not..much really needs to be said, though is may be violent enough for him to write it off.

Kingdom Hearts: I am going to burn my face off for suggesting it, but ...damn it, it fits. Kingdom Hearts has a very good story for being a not to violent game. It's also not confusing to play at all, and very simplistic to get in to. I think out of every game I have mentioned this one may fit the bill the best.

Half-Life 1: It's less actiony than 2, but the story I believe is just as good. I'm trying not to be monotonous, so i'll end that there.

And with the monotony mentioned, i'll just list the rest.

Chrono Trigger
Grim Fandango
The Longest Journey
The Experiment
Final Fantasy 6

aaaand that's all I can think of after work. ...One of those should be good enough.

EDIT: also everyone who said minecraft. ...Why? That's like just saying "WHat? games are nothing but violent time wasters you say?! HERESY, play this non-violent time waster it just proves I'm right. Gosh....some people"

 

[A Raging Emo]

Mass Effect could be a good choice, but he'd have to sink several hours into it before reaching nirvana. Others have said the Portal games, which would be the best bet, in my opinion, as they're not very violent, have a fantastic story, and are just generally worthwhile; they also aren't too long, which is a plus if he's impatient.

 

[Titan Buttons]

The new Donkey Country on the Wii is co-op and now violent, portal 2 as well.
Also Lego Pirate of the Caribbean/Harry Potter are really fun co-op games

"Oh, banana!" Who the Hell is Kurt Vonnegut, anywho?

When in doubt don't threat, just google it.

 

[funguy2121]

The new Donkey Country on the Wii is co-op and now violent, portal 2 as well.
Also Lego Pirate of the Caribbean/Harry Potter are really fun co-op games

"Oh, banana!" Who the Hell is Kurt Vonnegut, anywho?

When in doubt don't threat, just google it.

OK, theory confirmed. Irony really does skip a generation.

 

[veloper]

consider strategy games like Civilization 4 and Tropico, or adventure games like Sam&max and Monkey island.

Ignore all the shooters and action rpgs for a while, because these games will only reinforce his opinion about graphic violence in games.

 

[Raykuza]

Since Portal has been said a dozen times, I'll say Shadows of the Colossus. Truly a gorgeous tale was told by that game.

 

[Littaly]

Off the top of my head:
Heavy Rain
L.A. Noire
Portal
Shadow of the Colossus

Especially Portal, everyone loves Portal, gamer on non-gamer.

Might wanna try some The Sims as well, it's maybe not the type of game you're looking for but as far as great non-violent games it's right up there.

Like you pointed out, I'd be careful with Red Dead since the gameplay revolves mostly around shooting, but if you can look past that it's probably one of your best ambassadors.

 

[binvjoh]

Do you think he'd "get" Minecraft?

Otherwise, like many others have said, Portal is probably the best bet.

 

[Googooguru]

Quick Man the defenses, Knights to the Bailey, get more archers on the towers we need more flanking fire..

Oh and get THEJOORG a copy of Mass Effect 2

 

[AMMO Kid]

I noticed how you used the word "worthwhile" to describe your opinion on games. Where as I am all for games, I personally look back on my experience as a gamer and I believe that I would never go back on it all, however, if I had never picked up a controller when I was eight I would probably be better off. Just saying/

 

[Sad Face]

Portal would be your best choice. It's clever, engaging, and humourous. Not much violence, if any.

That, and it's about the length of a standard movie, especially if you're on a second (or more) playthrough. That's why this is the one I would choose. It's short, fun to play and fun to watch. Even if you're the one with the controller he can be just as interactive, you can control the player while he solves the puzzles if either of you are afraid that he would just get frustrated trying to learn the controls. By the sounds of it this is your best bet.

Other than that I would suggest what's also already been talked about. Mass Effect, Bioshock, Psychonauts, Fallout 3 (I haven't played NV yet so I can't comment on it), Oblivion, etc. I would also suggest one of the Resident Evil games if he likes zombies. Obviously they're violent but I'm sure your father has watched action movies before so that arguement is a little irrelevant. If he hasn't, or doesn't watch them due to the violence then I'm sure he's enjoyed a book with weapons in it somewhere. My point is that most entertainment medias have violence in one genre or another, faulting one for containing violence while not the others is a little hypocritical.

If he does like zombies, and if he's a little open-minded about it then Left 4 Dead would be a good one too. The story isn't jammed down your throat, it's a little deeper than a straight-up narrative.

Choose one from a genre he likes in other mediums. Keep in mind that these games can loosely be more than one genre. Either way all of them have a great story.

 

[shadowshian]

for older games he should try something like Monkey islands (i think theyr available in steam), Grim fandango. or for newer games maybe some indie games? rather than mainstream titles?

 

[Titan Buttons]

The new Donkey Country on the Wii is co-op and now violent, portal 2 as well.
Also Lego Pirate of the Caribbean/Harry Potter are really fun co-op games

"Oh, banana!" Who the Hell is Kurt Vonnegut, anywho?

When in doubt don't threat, just google it.

OK, theory confirmed. Irony really does skip a generation.

I don't get what is ironic about my joke, as lame as it is.

 

[Merkavar]

portal 1 and 2
heavy rain
maybe even bioshock 1

 

[mionic]

portal or portal 2 would be my choice.

 

[RN7]

Minecraft is the least violent (graphically) game I've been engaged in most recently. I say this because of some of the "comments" in Portal 2 not connecting with someone who never played the 1st and because the engaging qualities of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood cannot be grasped without playing and understanding the 1st two games, at least not to one with your father's mindset.

 

[Otterby]

You have suggestions a-plenty here, so I'll leave those for the others. I just want to note that you shouldn't be thinking of game length here. Sure, maybe avoid the 40h+ games, simply because folks of the parenting age rarely have too much time, but some 20h shouldn't be too much to ask. After all, reading a novel can take it's sweet time, too.